Counseling Department Information for Freshmen Briar Woods High

Counseling Department Information for Freshmen Briar Woods High School

Counseling Department Information 1. 2. 3. 4. School counselors Schedules Importance of the freshman year School counseling activities for freshmen Ø All BWHS School Counseling presentations are posted on our website!!!!

SCHOOL COUNSELORS

School Counseling Team • • • Ms. James: Ms. Dekenipp: Ms. Chenault: Ms. Rivera: Ms. Pond: Mr. Mondloch: Ms. Quimby: Mr. Urbassick Ms. Zappala: A –Che Chi – Ge Gi – La Le – N O - Se Sh – Z School Social Worker School Psychologist Student Assistance Specialist

Meeting with your counselor • If you ever have an emergency or a crisis ask any adult to see a counselor or an administrator • This week: You sign up to see counselors in homeroom only for very specific reasons • Starting next week, for the rest of the year: Students stop by the counseling office and fill out a “request form”

SCHEDULES

Schedules 1. Electives 2. Academic classes

Schedules • Elective Changes – We generally do not change electives

Schedules • Academic level changes – For English, math, science, social science, and world language courses

Schedules • If you believe you are in a class that is too easy for you. • Window: Ø 2 nd week of school – MP one interims • Steps: 1. Talk to your teacher 2. Talk to your parent 3. Then, see your counselor to discuss

Schedules • If you believe you are in a class that is too challenging for you • Window: Ø 1 st MP interims – 2 nd MP interims • Steps: 1. Talk to your teacher 2. Talk to your parents 3. Then, see your counselor to discuss.

Schedules • Be prepared to discuss with your counselor: – Have you completed all for your work? – Have you taken advantage of extra help from your teacher, math lab, writing lab, etc. ? – What is your overall workload like? • Remember: A class that is harder than you want it to be is NOT the same as a class that is too hard for you!!! • Level changes may disrupt your schedule • Level changes are not always possible!

IMPORTANCE OF THE FRESHMAN YEAR

The Importance of the Freshman Year • One of the (many) big differences in high school is that all grades count and are recorded: – Forever! – Permanently! – They never go away! – They don’t get erased! – Colleges and potential employers will see them!

Student Example 1 – Johnny Latestarter Grade 9: English C 2 History C 2 Math D 1 Science D 1 HPE B 3 Elective C 2 Cumulative GPA = 1. 86 Grade 10: English B 3 History A 4 Math C 2 Science B 3 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 2. 64 Grade 11: English B 3 History B 3 Math B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 2. 76 Grade 12: English A 4 History A 4 Math B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 2. 89

Student Example 2 – Sara Studyhard Grade 9: English B 3 History B 3 Math B 3 Science C 2 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3. 29 Grade 10: English B 3 History A 4 Math C 2 Science B 3 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3. 36 Grade 11: English B 3 History B 3 Math B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3. 38 Grade 12: English A 4 History A 4 Math B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3. 46

The Importance of the Freshman Year • The only difference between these two students are the freshman grades! • The difference between a 2. 89 GPA and a 3. 46 GPA can be the ninth grade year!!!

The Importance of the Freshman Year Hit the ground running Work hard from the very first day of school Do your work as soon as you get it! Finish your “have to do its” before your “want to do its” • If you get off track, get back on immediately • Ask for help • •

SCHOOL COUNSELING ACTIVITIES FOR FRESHMEN

School counseling activities for freshmen • College Fair – September 24 • PSAT – October 11 • November, March, & April presentations • Individual Scheduling Conferences

Questions? ? ?